You turn the key, hear a sputter, and the engine refuses to start — or worse, it stalls on the highway. A failing crankshaft position sensor is one of the most common culprits behind those symptoms in 2026, and replacing it can run anywhere from $190 to $600 depending on your vehicle and shop. The good news: the part itself is cheap. The bad news: on some engines the labor to reach it eats most of the bill.

This guide breaks down what a crankshaft position sensor replacement actually costs in 2026, why prices vary so much, what the warning signs look like, and how an extended warranty from Empire Auto Protect can wipe out the bill entirely if your vehicle is out of factory coverage.

What Is a Crankshaft Position Sensor and What Does It Do?

The crankshaft position sensor (often abbreviated CKP or CPS) is a small electromagnetic sensor mounted near the crankshaft, usually at the front, side, or rear of the engine block. Its job is to track the exact rotational position and speed of the crankshaft and report that data to the engine control module (ECM) hundreds of times per second.

The ECM uses that signal to time fuel injection, fire the ignition coils at the right moment, and keep the engine running smoothly. When the sensor fails, the ECM is flying blind — it can’t time anything correctly. That’s why a bad crankshaft position sensor produces such dramatic symptoms: misfires, stalling, hard starts, or a no-start condition.

Modern vehicles often have a second related sensor — the camshaft position sensor — that works alongside the crankshaft sensor. The two are different parts with different jobs, and the crankshaft sensor is usually the harder of the two to access.

How Much Does Crankshaft Position Sensor Replacement Cost in 2026?

For most cars and light trucks in 2026, expect the total replacement cost — parts plus labor — to land between $190 and $600. The part itself usually runs $30 to $200. Labor is where the price swings, because some sensors are bolted right on top of the engine while others are buried behind the transmission bell housing.

A few real-world examples we’ve seen in 2026:

• A 2018 Toyota Camry: $210 at an independent shop (sensor sits on the front of the block, easy to reach).
• A 2017 Chevy Silverado 1500 5.3L: $320 at an independent shop (sensor at the rear of the block, requires partial intake disassembly on some configurations).
• A 2019 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost: $385 at a dealership.
• A 2016 BMW 328i: $545 at a dealership (sensor location plus BMW labor rate).
• A 2020 Honda Accord 1.5T: $245 at an independent shop.

Why Does the Price Vary So Much?

Three factors push the total up or down:

1. Sensor Location

Some manufacturers mount the crankshaft sensor where any tech can reach it in 20 minutes — bolted to the front timing cover, for example. Others tuck it behind the starter motor, the intake manifold, or even behind the transmission bell housing where the tech has to drop the transmission or remove the engine to swap a $50 part. That’s where you see the $500–$600 totals.

2. OEM vs Aftermarket Part

An OEM (original equipment) sensor from the dealer can cost three to four times what a quality aftermarket sensor from Bosch, Delphi, Standard Motor Products, or NTK costs. For most vehicles, a name-brand aftermarket sensor is perfectly fine and saves $100 or more. Cheap no-name sensors should be avoided — they fail early and you’ll pay for the labor twice.

3. Shop Type

Dealership labor rates run $150–$250 per hour in most metro areas in 2026. Independent shops average $100–$160 per hour, and mobile mechanics can come in even lower for easy-access jobs. The work is the same; the bill isn’t.

Symptoms of a Failing Crankshaft Position Sensor

The symptoms tend to start subtle and get worse fast. Watch for any of these:

• Check engine light with codes P0335, P0336, P0337, P0338, or P0339 (crankshaft position sensor circuit codes).
• Engine misfires or rough idle — the ECM can’t time the spark correctly without a clean signal.
• Hard starting or extended cranking — the engine takes several seconds to fire up.
• Stalling at idle or while driving — a dangerous symptom, especially in traffic.
• No-start condition — in many vehicles, a fully dead crankshaft sensor will prevent the engine from starting at all.
• Loss of power or sluggish acceleration — the ECM goes into limp mode when sensor data is unreliable.
• Tachometer reading erratically or dropping to zero while running — a classic sign of a failing CKP signal.

If you see any combination of these, get the codes scanned at an auto parts store (free in most cases) or have a shop diagnose it. Driving with a failing crankshaft sensor is risky because a sudden stall on the highway is a real possibility.

Can You Replace a Crankshaft Position Sensor Yourself?

If the sensor is mounted in an easy spot — visible from above with the hood open, two bolts and a connector — yes, a confident DIYer can do it in under an hour with basic hand tools. The part is $30–$80 online, and you skip the labor charge entirely.

If the sensor is behind the starter, behind the intake manifold, or behind the bell housing, leave it to a shop. The job becomes a multi-hour disassembly that requires torque specs, proper sealant, and sometimes specialty tools. A mistake can mean a coolant leak, an oil leak, or a damaged sensor connector that costs more than the original repair.

Before buying parts, double-check the engine code — sometimes a P0335 code is actually caused by a damaged reluctor ring on the crankshaft itself, which is a far bigger repair. A proper diagnosis up front saves you from throwing parts at the wrong problem.

Will an Extended Warranty Cover Crankshaft Sensor Replacement?

Yes — under the right plan. The crankshaft position sensor is part of the engine’s electrical and ignition system, and most comprehensive (bumper-to-bumper-style) extended warranties cover it. Stated component plans and powertrain-only plans sometimes exclude electrical sensors, so always read the contract.

Empire Auto Protect’s top-tier plans cover the crankshaft sensor, the camshaft sensor, the ignition coils, the engine control module, and the wiring harness that connects them. If your vehicle is out of factory warranty and you’d rather pay $69 a month than a surprise $400+ bill, an extended plan starts paying for itself the first time you avoid a repair like this.

For a deeper look at how plans handle these repairs, see our guides on bumper-to-bumper vs powertrain warranty and what an extended warranty actually covers.

How to Avoid Premature Crankshaft Sensor Failure

Crankshaft position sensors typically last 100,000 miles or more, and many last the life of the vehicle. A few things that shorten their life:

• Engine oil leaks near the sensor — oil seeping onto the sensor body cooks the electronics over time.
• Vibration damage — a cracked engine mount or loose accessory can vibrate the sensor connector loose or fatigue the wiring.
• Heat exposure — cars driven hard with cooling system issues stress every sensor in the engine bay.
• Cheap previous repairs — if a no-name sensor was installed during a prior repair, it’s likely to fail well before 100k.

Fix oil leaks promptly, address engine mounts when they show wear, and use quality parts the first time. That’s most of the prevention story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to replace a crankshaft position sensor?

For easy-access sensors, 30 to 60 minutes. For sensors behind the bell housing or buried under the intake, two to four hours of labor is typical.

Can I drive with a bad crankshaft position sensor?

You can usually drive a short distance, but it isn’t safe. The engine can stall without warning, including in highway traffic. Get it fixed within a few days of confirming the diagnosis.

What’s the difference between a crankshaft and a camshaft position sensor?

The crankshaft sensor tracks the rotation of the crankshaft (the lower rotating assembly that drives the wheels). The camshaft sensor tracks the camshaft (which opens and closes the valves). They work together but are separate parts in separate locations, and they have different failure symptoms.

Does AutoZone or O’Reilly read the codes for free?

Yes, most major auto parts chains scan engine codes for free. If you get a P0335 or P0336 code, the crankshaft sensor is the most likely cause, though a proper diagnosis at a shop confirms it.

Will Empire Auto Protect pay the full sensor replacement bill?

On a covered plan, yes — minus your deductible (typically $0 to $200 depending on the plan you choose). The shop bills Empire directly in most cases, so you only pay your deductible at pickup.

The Bottom Line

A crankshaft position sensor replacement in 2026 runs $190 to $600 for most vehicles, with the bill driven almost entirely by how hard the sensor is to reach. The part is cheap; the labor is the variable. If your factory warranty is gone and you’d rather not eat a $400+ surprise, an extended warranty from Empire Auto Protect can cover this repair and hundreds of others starting at $69 a month.

By the Empire Auto Protect Team | Updated May 2026